15 Cheaper, Better Glock Alternatives

What Compact Pistol Beats a Glock? Lots of Them…

We really do have to give Glock credit for one of the slickest marketing jobs in American history. It’s the market leader, but there are some better Glock rivals out there.

These functional, plastic pistols were talked about in hushed tones back in the 90s. Will Smith branded a pair in Bad Boys 2, Johnny Utah rocked a Glock and pretty much every hero, cop, special agent and arch enemy would pull out the familiar, blocky Austrian pistol in the 90s and the new Millennium.

Glock Became the Hollywood Default

As far as Hollywood was concerned, there was only one gun. And that whole mystique was built around the frankly ludicrous idea that Glocks were ceramic and could glide straight through metal detectors.

Remember that little doozy? It started from somewhere and I’m giving Glock all the credit for a concerted whisper campaign, product placement assault and even sponsorship, long before they became the norm in Hollywood.

The narrative was Glock was special, and that has become a self-fulfilling prophesy.

This blocky, straightforward, polymer pistol has become the default firearm. It is a dominant force and almost every gun toting household has one.

The Glock 17, 19 and 34 are great guns, but they’re certainly not the benchmark for this generation of striker-fired plastic fantastics.

Glocks: The Toyota Camry of the Gun World

I have seen Glocks described as the Toyota Camry of the firearms world and I think it’s a fair call. It’s massively reliable, but it won’t set your pulse racing.

The famous Glock grip angle means you have to adapt to the gun, too, and a Glock is rarely a gun that just feels like an extension of your hand.

The grip angle is actually a major dealbreaker for me, and led me to one of many Glock options. I guess I’m just not a Glock fanboy.

It also used to need a new trigger, stippling and slide work, but that’s all changed. To give Glock its dues it went back to the drawing board and fixed a lot of these issues with the Gen 5. So much so that the Glock 43x is now our EDC.

If you want a perfect compact handgun. Agency Arms and ZEV technologies have turned custom Glocks into an art form. But you could, you know, just buy something else.

So what are the Glock alternatives for sale in 2022?

1. Springfield Armory XD Defender

• Price: $366.99
• Barrel Length (Inches): 4
• Total Length (Inches): 7.3
• Capacity: 16+1 Rounds
• Weight: 1.7l.5b
• Caliber: 9mm

If you like the clean lines of the Glock, but just want a little more detail and finishing touches, then the Springfield Armory XD Defender has got you covered.

It’s like a G19 with some aftermarket parts, or an XD first gen, which is really what it is. Either way, at this price, hell yes.

Features include a properly serrated slide and a sweet, perfect trigger that makes everything apart from the Gen 5 Glock feel like mush.

The grip safety is also a nice touch that’s missing on the G19. If you like that added layer of security then the Springfield Armory is really a gun you should look at.

1911 Style Grip Safety Adds Security

You can get a smaller subcompact version, which is one of our favorite sub-compact CCWs in the world. Both of them come with that extra safety and some owners swear it’s a lifesaver.

If you carry concealed, then that additional grip safety means you don’t have to worry about the trigger.

The XD Mod 2 and competition spec XD-M Elite come with fiber optic night sights, a better magazine release and other upgrades. But the basic gun is almost as good for much less money.

Where to buy cheap Springfield Armory guns online.

Springfield Armory has a massive selection of handguns on sale, from 9mm subcompacts right through to 45 ACP weapons, and it’s got some of the sweetest 1911s on the open market, including the CCW options. It has every caliber and every size. So keep an eye out here.

• PSA – Beautiful guns and some unique package deals. Real Glock alternatives.
• Brownells – Last minute deals, get a good price today on the basic range.

2. Taurus GX4

• Price: $299.99
• Barrel: 4 inch
• Total: 7.28 inch
• Weight: 1.55lb
• Capacity: 15+1

You might want the even cheaper Taurus G2C, and you might be right. But you can still buy a Taurus GX4 and have $150 in your pocket, or a Glock G43x.

And the Taurus GX4 really is a much better personal defense pistol than the $200 G2C, for not that much more money. So that’s our logic.

For the money, this is a supremely good sub compact pistol with huge capacity. It’s 1 inch wide, the slide has enough serrations without being fussy and the grip just fits. If it doesn’t, it’s highly adjustable.

3. Rock Island Armory MAPP FS

• Price: $375.99
• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Barrel: 4.4 inch
• Weight: 1.9lb
• Capacity: 15 + 1

We thought about sticking to a striker-fired handgun, but we’ve described this Polymer Compact as a better Glock with a hammer before.

So it’s here, and we all have to deal with it. We also have to deal with the fact this was always a Tanfoglio, and is now an RIA and Armscor offering. But that happens. It was a good design and it’s all legit, probably.

This is the hammer fired wildcard and might just be our favorite.

This is just good design. The beveled slide gives a quick and snag free draw, as well as producing a lightweight pistol. Let’s get real it’s still pretty much 1.8lb, but this is a proper compact handgun with a hammer, manual safety and other goodies.

The RIA MAPP is so utterly suited to the job at hand, and manages to pack massive magazine capacity into that contoured grip.

That also does an excellent job of forcing your hand into position and we dig the animal print stippling too. This ain’t no Glock grip angle either. It’s pure plastic 1911. And that is cool.

So now you have an even bigger battle. This is Glock 19 vs Rock Island Armory MAPP Series. That’s a Royal Rumble of a plastic handgun battle.

4. S&W M&P Shield Plus 9mm

• Price: $399.99
• Capacity: 10+1 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.1
• Total: 7.3
• Weight: 1.26lb
• Caliber: 9mm

Owner reviews generally put this Smith & Wesson well clear of the Glock 19, and it’s a cheaper weapon. Some days…

Those reviews include law enforcement officers, who often rely on the M&P Plus as their back up.

Slimline Pistols With Better Ergonomics

You get 13+1 rounds of 9mm with an extended magazine, or 10+1 as nature intended it. That little extra real estate is no bad thing as it gives you a chance to firm up your grip and reduce limpwristing issues.

S&W has a clear design philosophy that is more ornate than the minimalist Glock pistols. Also, you get a proper safety. The extra slide work, aggressive stippling and security feel good in the hand, but do cost some points when it comes to the concealment. It’s easy to upgrade to night sights too.

S&W was late to the double stack party, but now it is here then there are those that think this is more than just a Glock alternative.

Where to get cheap Smith & Wesson handguns.

You can get Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handguns in 9mm, 40S&W, 45 ACP and 380. So keep an eye out for the cheapest gun sales online here.

• Brownells – Great deals and a bigger variety of bundle prices than you might think.
• Palmetto State Armory – Great daily deals, selection and PC pistols too.

5. Canik TP9 SFX Optics Ready Version

• Price: $499.99
• Capacity: 18+1
• Barrel: 5.2
• Total: 7.5
• Weight: 1.8lb
• Caliber: 9mm

The Canik TP9 SFX is a great handgun in its own right, but that price is just insane for a gun with this much effort put into it.

You can buy a classic Glock 19 rival, the TP9SA, for about $400 by the way. And there are other variants. Check here for the full line of cheap CCW, competition and tactical pistols. You’ll be amazed…

• Buy Canik Handguns at PSA.

Buy a Canik and Be Impressed

Even if you do, get one of these longer barrel Turkish guns for shooting targets. See if you actually want to pick up your Glock models again. In terms of bang for buck, the Canik simply destroys the Glock models 17 and 34. Maybe not in terms of reliability and durability. But the look? Yeah.

This is actually a better all-rounder than base Glock pistols at least. It’s on its way to becoming a custom gun and home defender. It’s either a great a new gun for long distance pistol shooters, or a bargain bucket Gucci Glock, built for you.

High Capacity 9mm Handgun

It feels better in the hand, you get 18+1 rounds with the 9mm and the slide is easy to grab from just about everywhere. An extended magazine release and ambi safety all help maintain the illusion.

The 4.49 inch barrel is a nice compromise between accuracy and concealability. So, yes, the TP9 series is a great CCW, truck gun, nightstand pistol and more.

The trigger pull is as good as any on the market. Indeed, devoted owners reckon that it’s a match for aftermarket Glock triggers. It’s accurate, lightweight and just good everywhere. It’s a competition spec Gucci Glock and that would not come this cheap any other way.

Serious gun owners and enthusiasts seriously rave about this striker fired pistol. Surprisingly great pistol, is pretty much the default for the gun reviews and target shooting specialists’ feedback. It’s easy to mod with things like suppressor height sights and new drop-in parts too.

Cut Price Pistol With Match Grade Parts

Do you just want a pistol that does the job for the right price? Then this is the one, hands down. It’s not just a great gun at this price, it’s a great gun period.

It looks like a custom Glock MOS in its own special way. You know it does.

6. Arex Delta

• Price: $393.99
• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Barrel length: 4 inch
• Total: 7 inches long
• Weight: 1.2lb
• Capacity: 17+1

The Arex Delta is an Eastern European entry from a company that supplies the Slovenian military, law enforcement officers and more.

The company’s all-metal handguns are superbly engineered modern interpretations of the CZ 75 B with some killer touches and aggressive design. Even the slide serrations are just done right.

We like their recent track record a lot and these are solid alternatives to the Glock that can come with threaded barrels too.

This looks like a custom Glock19 with an aftermarket slide, custom stipple and other Glock upgrades. It’s lighter, easy to shoot and just about all the controls are perfectly thought out.

We could use this gun as an EDC without a moment’s hesitation and we’re sure that it’s going to get a foothold and maybe move up this list before long.

7. FN 503

• Price: $449.99
• Barrel: 3.1 inch
• Capacity: 8+1 Rounds
• Length (Inches): 7.4
• Weight: 1.67lb
• Caliber: 9mm

The FN is more or less Glock money, you won’t save much here. But it’s an FN…

The Secret Service carry FN hardware into battle and I have a lifelong DEA man friend that still gets glassy eyed when he talks about FN rifles. They have been in business for more than 125 years and they have the heritage.

We do have to say that the company’s pistols have never commanded the same respect as its rifles, but we like this polymer framed FN 503. It just works.

Where to get cheap FN handguns online

FN can sell you a seriously expensive Polymer handgun, a tactical 9mm and the legendary FN Five Seven.

Don’t buy the FNS, or any variation thereof. If you’re buying an FN, go with the 509 and pray they got it right this time. If they did, you’ll have an absolute peach of a gun and a great Glock alternative from one of America’s best gunbrokers.

• FN handguns cheap at PSA

8. Walther PDP

• Price: $649.99
• Capacity: 15+1
• Barrel: 4 
• Total: 7.1
• Weight: 1.44lb
• Caliber: 9mm

The Walther PDP could only really compare to the longer barrel Glock 34 and G17, so that covers the pricing concern.

This is another low budget Gucci Glock. It’s also a tactical alternative to the company’s stellar Match pistols like the Walther PPQ Q5. This is the new breed of optics ready plastic pistols that look right at home with red dot sights.

You can get a range of compact handguns from Walther, but this is the 4.4 inch compact striker-fire pistol that could really threaten the best Glocks for sale in 2022.

Best OEM Triggers Out There?

The Walther PDP has arguably the sweetest out the box trigger pull on the market. It is Optics Ready, the grip module is way more advanced than anything a stock Glock can offer. A stepped chamber boost muzzle velocity and the Performance Duty Trigger set is one of the best around.

The Walther P99 is another enduring favorite as a carry pistol. When it comes to the Walther P99 vs Glock 43x, though, the Glock wins that race at a canter these days.

But this Walther PDP is a seriously good gun, and one that can take the fight to Glock on almost any front. Put red dots up top for shooting targets and it’s almost impossible to miss.

9. Taurus G3

• Price: $269.99
• Barrel: 4 inch
• Total: 7.28 inch
• Weight: 1.55lb
• Capacity: 15+1

The best budget handgun is growing up and the compact Taurus G3 looks like it could be just as big a hit as the Taurus G2C.

Price is the big USP with the Taurus G3 and you can get two of these handguns for the price of one new Glock 19.

And the Taurus G2C smashed it out the park when it came to the user reviews. People loved the sub-compact and we’re seeing the same trend with this cut-price handgun.

Yes you’ll have to look past cheap-looking polymer and the basic slide lock. Do that and you’ll get an absolutely stunning compact 9mm pistol that is accurate, reliable and packs in 15 bullets into the double stack magazine.

If you’ve been thinking of buying a Glock for months, and don’t have the cash, well this is the polymer framed budget Glock option you have been waiting for.

10. CZ P-10 Compact

• Price: $543.99
• Barrel: 4.02
• Total: 7.3 
• Weight: 1.62lb
• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity:10+1

This Eastern European special is getting a lot of love on the forums. The general feeling is that it’s a better gun than a Glock 19 Gen 4, and about a match for the Gen5 19 Glock.

The Glock Gen 5 has turned the tables quality wise in the latest reviews, but this is still a great gun.

It’s the same old points. The slide is serrated properly, the trigger is sharp as a razor and the CZ P-10 is ready to hit the range straight out the box and start sending. It’s also smooth enough and snag free to be an EDC.

There’s no pretense, it has everything you need for an EDC and absolutely nothing more. The grip is cleverly thought out so it sits better in your hand, the slide works well, as does the slide lock, and CZ basically assumed you’ll be using the gun without any wild accessories. It’s a simple, honest gun, then , that does the basics right.

Stick to Your Glock Guns? Or Try The CZ?

Sound familiar, Glock fans? So, yeah, basically it comes down your styling preference.

The CZ P-10 could fit in the Glock’s shadow, indeed it can share the same holsters.

A lot of cops and military are ditching their Glocks for this solid beast from the Czech Republic. It’s that good.

This is a weapon you should consider if you’re in the market for a Glock and in fact the owners say it blows the G19 compact pistol away.

CZ is another military supplier in Europe, so you’d be surprised at the range of tactical firearms it has to offer. Look out for the hammer fired CZ P-09, too. Check out the best prices for CZ handguns here.

• PSA – Complete line of CZ 9mm
• Guns.com – Custom handguns through to the cheapest subcompact.

11. Stoeger STR-9C

• Price: $219.99
• Total Length: 7 inch
• Barrel: 3.8 inch
• Weight: 1.5lb
• Capacity: 10+1

Stoeger has carved out an admirable niche producing high quality, no frills firearms for a sensational price.

Having done great things in the shotgun sector, especially with semi-automatic shotguns and 3 Gunners, Stoeger has now turned its attention to the compact striker fired handguns world.

The early signs are encouraging. The STR-9C boasts the traditional qualities of solid engineering and a decent features list for about two-thirds the money of a Glock.

Realistically, Stoeger is taking aim at Taurus. Only time will tell how that battle turns out. But people do like this gun.

12. Palmetto State Armory Dagger

• Price: $329.99
• Barrel: 3.9 inch
• Total: 7.15″
• Weight: 1.4lb

Palmetto State Armory is a legend in the world of cheap AR-15s and now it has tried to weave the same magic with its first 9mm handgun.

The Palmetto State Armory Dagger is basically a budget Glock clone with some ambitious touches. They include a Diamond Like Carbon finish on the barrel, front serrations on the slide and what looks like the kind of stippling you find on factory custom guns. From a distance.

Now the shooting experience and the spec sheet are two different things, but the Palmetto State Armory Dagger is still a perfectly acceptable budget gun and you can order a red dots ready slide.

13. Sig Sauer P320 Compact

• Price: $474.99
• Capacity: 17+1
• Barrel Length (Inches): 4
• Length (Inches): 7.2
• Weight: 1.6lb
• Caliber: 9mm/45 ACP

The Sig Sauer P320 Compact has been left in the shade by the 365 XL and all its variants. That means you can find gun deals, and this is still a great EDC.

It fits the same profile as a Glock 19 and the Sig P320 is a better gun for many of us. The grip angle feels more natural and it’s just a wonderful looking thing. So, this could be the Glock 19 alternative you’ve been looking for.

1 Gun For CCW, Home Defense and the Range?

You can conceal it, it’s accurate enough that it’s a perfectly viable home defense gun and can go with you everywhere.

It’s a service pistol designed for the military and then given to the people. You can also order one with a manual safety these days and we like that.

You get 15+1 rounds in a compact chassis and the gun measures 7.2 inches in total. It’s a modular design, too, so you can easily switch calibers and go for something heavier for personal defence. But the Caliber X-Change Kit really doesn’t make much sense for the consumer.

It’s a neat military touch, but if you really want two different calibers, get a second gun for basically the same money. There’s always a deal on somewhere.

The P320 comes with a rail for a laser or a light, you get serrations right up the slide and it’s an elegant firearm. It’s the right size to just about use it as an EDC and it’s really all the gun you will ever need.

Military Version of the Sig P320

The company won the contact to supply the army with P320 sidearms, well M17 and M18 to give them their military designation. Now the Navy and Air Force want them too, they’re that good. The street Compact version is just about the most complete handgun on the open market.

If you haven’t tried it, you’ll be amazed at the trigger set that comes as standard and that this is a gun you just take to the range and start shooting. It’s better than the Glock, then, and at this price point its easily one of the best 9mm handguns for sale in 2020.

It really is one gun that can do it all, and one of the best Glock 19 alternatives we can offer you right now.

Sig has some other great options, including the Sig P226 in our next gen 1911s feature. But the P320, in its various forms, is the volume seller. Check the full line, including special editions, here.

Where to buy Cheap Sig Sauer handguns

There’s a serious list of options when it comes to Sigs, including the epic 1911s and the company also makes some of the best concealed carry guns, so it’s down to you what you’re looking for and we’ll just try and save you money by finding the cheapest deals for guns online.

I have made it easy for you, these links take you through to the latest gun deals on two of my best sources for cheap guns online.

• PSA – Sig bargains. Discount 9mm handguns and red dots.

 

14. Ruger American Compact

• Price: $469.99
• Capacity: 17+1
• Barrel Length (Inches): 4
• Total Length (inches): 7.24
• Weight: 1.48lb
• Caliber: 9mm

The Ruger Security 9 is the gun that everybody knows. That’s cheap and solid, but the Ruger American is just better, everywhere. It’s a real Glock option and it comes with a solid all-American name that basically nobody can hate on.

You get 17+1 rounds, a 4″ barrel and elegant stippling that has a lot in common with the new Mossberg and Taurus. It does everything right. There’s a real safety, too, no internal safe action anxiety for responsible gun owners here and it’s absolutely not a Glock clone.

With Ruger, you either instinctively think of the bargain bucket Ruger Security 9 or the altogether more impressive Ruger SR9 and Max-9. But overlook the Ruger American at your peril.

Better Than a Glock

This is an 18-round weapon that leaves the Glock behind in almost every conceivable way. It looks like Glock 19 alternatives with ALL the parts & accessories.

It isn’t the cleanest design and that can come with a price in terms of ease of concealment and actual operation. Ruger claims the ridges and edges all serve a purpose, and we do believe it.

The Ruger SR9 is also a serious weapon that can look a Glock 19 square in the eye. In fact, if you’re on a budget, make sure you check out the Ruger SR9 for sale. it’s a good option and an underappreciated gun.

So make sure you check out the Ruger handguns on sale at any given time, because you might turn up a surprise carry gun or four…

The grip is unique. It might not actually be the best solution, but those overlapping geometric palmswells offer a greater level of customization and also look the nuts.

• Shop Ruger handguns at PSA

15. Beretta APX Centurion

• Price: $409.99
• Capacity: 15+1
• Barrel : 3.7
• Total: 7
• Weight: 1.7lb
• Caliber: 9mm

The Beretta APX Centurion doesn’t get much love on these pages. But it definitely is cheaper than the Glock 19 and that means we can bring it to you here.

Beretta can make great guns, and the 92 in all its forms is a legend. But it has struggled with polymer pistols and has effectively accepted mediocrity. The Beretta APX Centurion might change that.

Barrel Halfway Between G43 and G19

This is an interesting handgun. The dimensions are just different enough to split a Glock 43 and Glock 19 down the middle. The double stack grip on the Beretta APX Centurion is fat enough to pack in 15 rounds of 9mm too.

All of this makes for a solid striker-fired pistol in the APX Centurion.

And yet, tired of going home from the disco alone, Beretta has lowered its prices for the APX Centurion. With this new price point, it gets a fresh start. That might be enough to swing it…

16. HK VP9

• Price: $639.99
• Capacity: 15+1
• Barrel : 4.09 inches long
• Total: 7.34
• Weight: 1.45lb

OK, the HK is actually more expensive than the Glock, but pretty much everyone that has one, loves it. It’s $100 more than the Glock for a complete pistol, with a slide that works, and a match grade barrel, and a great trigger.

This is the gun the Glock goes to bed at night and dreams of becoming. It has proper serrations on the slide, perfect balance and it just feels right in the hand. There are Optics Ready models ready for a red dot, or not.

It also looks great, so if you open carry your compact striker fired handgun then you might want to think about your personal branding. HK is like Porsche, or Nike, it shows you’re getting on in the world…

The gun costs more, replacement parts cost more. But plenty of people will tell you that if you have a HK in your hand and you’re still thinking of buying a Glock, there’s no saving you.

Professionals Choose HK, It’s No Accident

Security and military personnel around the world often go for the HK compact pistol over a Glock and we kind of agree with them. So, if you’re in the market for a great polymer pistol and you just want the best handgun in the world, this right here might be it.

It is 1.68lb, it holds 15+1 rounds and it sits on the hip of men in far worse places than you and me for a reason. It’s just a badass gun and it’s better than the Glock. It just isn’t cheaper…

If money is no object, this is your Huckleberry.

You can occasionally find a discount on the HK VP9, and a lot of other very serious firearms from one of the best gun manufacturers in the world. Sign up on the site for all the gun deals, but also check here from time to time.

• Buy HK Handguns at Guns.com

17. Sig Sauer P365 XL

• Price: $499.99
• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Barrel: 3.1 inch
• Weight: 1lb
• Capacity: 10+1

When Sig launched the Sig Sauer P365 XL, we thought it was a merciless cash-in on the runaway success of the iconic 365. We have changed our minds about this compact pistol.

The Sig P365 XL is a great handgun in its own right. In many ways, it’s better than the micro-compact. Especially now you can buy a Sig P365 XL with a manual safety and not have to rely on the internal safe action.

Reduced Recoil on the Bigger Sig P365

The extra 0.7 inches on the barrel helps reduce the recoil on the snappy little 365 and the extra real estate does make it easier to get a good grip on this gun. It’s not that the 365 is too small, but it’s certainly close. If you have bigger hands, this is the gun you want.

Now we could have gone for the much more obvious P320 Compact or X-Carry. But the Sig P365 XL is an exceptional gun, it comes with a number of benefits and it is new and sexy. That counts for something, don’t say it doesn’t.

The 365 XL has emerged as one of the best carry guns of 2020and it’s absolutely a Glock 19 alternative you should think about. So if you are considering the Glock 19 vs Sig P365 XL, then you’re in very good company.

Now You Have Guns, Ammo is Next….

Are you getting the best deals on guns, ammo, all that jazz? Well you’re here, so if not then you’re doing something about it.

Here are our favorite suppliers for your Glock pistol, or your new rival…

• Brownells – A great supplier of guns, ammo and bulk deals.
• PSA – Guns, ammo, a red dot sight, Trijicon RMR, the works. Daily gun deals.

Honorable Mentions

Other notable mentions could include the Archon Type B, that appears in John Wick 3. Probably when we get round to it, we’ll include it. We’re definitely going to do something about where to find cheap guns, ammo and accessories too.

Other Stuff

We got hunting, fishing, outdoor gear and more, not just a 9mm pistol, guns, ammo, open carry holsters and Glock upgrades. Camping, fishing and that stuff aren’t our forte, but we try for you. We also sell safes to responsible gun owners and we got a Trijicon RMR as well.

We can sort you out with a fire control unit for a P320 or a Glock clone, too, which you can then build yourself. A fire control unit is hard work, though, when you can just buy a complete pistol for less.

All rights reserved and we’ll respect your personal information too. For a copy of the privacy policy terms & conditions contact us at the main email address. But why do you want a privacy policy really? You Ok fam? Listen you can leave your email address, write to our email address and we’ll try to be cool.